Stoa of Attalos and Ancient Agora Museum, Athens

Widely present in many ancient Greek cities, "stoa" is a type of structure that used to act as a central hub of daily activities (social, commercial, and administrative). Open at the front with a columned façade, these structures provided an open yet sheltered area for the functions of civil officials and merchants. They also doubled as an exhibition space for the arts and public monuments.

Named after King Attalos II of Pergamon in present-day Turkey, this Stoa was offered to Athens as a gift during his reign in the 2nd century BC. The impressive covered walkway was then fully rebuilt in the 1950s. Stoa of Attalos had a row of 42 closed rooms at the rear on the ground floor which served as shops. In terms of size, measuring 115 meters (or 377 feet) in length and 20 meters (or 65 feet) in width, it surpassed all the other buildings in ancient Athens.

While it may lack the original bright red and blue paint, the reconstruction remains undeniably spectacular in every other aspect. Made of Pentelic marble and limestone, it incorporates different architectural orders: Doric for the exterior colonnade on the ground floor, and Ionic for the interior colonnade.

Inside, the Ancient Agora Museum occupies half the lower level space, showcasing artifacts discovered at the nearby Agora site, spanning from the early Neolithic period to the Roman occupation and Byzantine era.

Many of the early artifacts are sourced from burials. The museum's highlights belong predominantly to the Classical era, including notable red-figure pottery and a bronze Spartan shield. Of particular note are the fragments of pottery inscribed with names, called 'ostraka'. During annual assemblies of citizens to decide the faith of wrongdoers, these shards were submitted as votes; an individual with the most votes would face banishment or "ostracism" from the city for ten years.

On the upper level, the balcony area hosts an intriguing exhibition of the Agora site's excavations and the Stoa's reconstruction, presenting various models, plans, and photos of buildings.

Somewhat reminiscent of a modern shopping mall, but far more aesthetically pleasing, this place provides essential background information about the Agora and a genuine sense of the scale and grandeur of ancient Greece's public buildings.

Tips:
Entry to this museum is included in the Agora ticket, without any separate fee.
While there, don't miss the sweeping view of the grounds from the upper level!